Machine for dyeing textile fabrics



y 4, 19 4. A. J. BELOKOPYTOFF 2,352,882

' MACHINE FOR DYEING TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Oct. 18, 1941 3 Sheets-Shea; 1

I INVENTOR. ALEXANDER JBELO/(OPYTOFF BY n MW ATTORNEY July 4, 1944. A. J. BELOKOPYTOFF 9 9 3 MACHINE FOR DYEING TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Co t. '18. 1941 3 Sheeis-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY July 4, 1944. J. snowmen MACHINE FOR DYEING TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Oct. 18, 1941 Fl G. 6

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A LEXA NDAA'R c]. 35. OKOPYTOFF INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 4, 1944 v MACHINE FOR DYEING TEXTILE FABRICS Alexander J. Belokopytofl, New York, N. Y., assignor to Paul N. Robins, Scarsdale, N. Y.

Application October 18, 1941, Serial No. 415,537

Claims. (Cl. 91-9) My invention relates to textile printing machines and has particular reference to machines for continuous printing of various designs on pared by placing particles of variously colored dyes on a layer of a gelatinous solution and, if

desired, further spreading or raking the dyes so as to obtain desired patterns. The fabric is then placed on the gelatinous layer, the design being thus transferred to the fabric. In order to make the process continuous, the matrix is formed at one end of an endless belt, the dyes are then'applied to the matrix, the matrix'with the dyes manipulated as by raking or combing, and a fabric is applied to the colored layer from a roll placed above the belt. The belt and the fabric are moved at the same speed, the printed fabric being then dried while the belt is being cleaned and washed to make it ready for a new application of the matrix. Another object of my invention is to provide means to deliver the dye solutions in measured quantities or drops of variable size and to distribute the drops in a desired pattern over th matrix.

Another object of my invention is to provide means to automatically rake or comb the matrix with the drops'of the dyes for producing geometrically uniform patterns, such as spirals, zigzags, figures 8, etc., their combinations or superpositions. By changing the diameters of v the circles forming the pattern and combinations of the figures, in connection with the variety of dlflerently spaced colors, it is possible to obtain a great variety of designs.

Another object of my invention is to independently adjust the rate of the dyedrop formation and the rate of the raking or combing action, thereby changing the frequency of the drops and intervals between the drops in relation to the frequency of the figures.

Still another object of my invention is to provide means to remove the fabric from the belt and to dry the fabric.

My invention is more fully described in the accompanying specification and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

device shown in Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of a drop delivering and spreading mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a fractional plan view 'of the same;

Fig. 5 is a fractional detail view of a simplified device-for delivering dye drops;

Fig. 6 is a fractional detail plan view of a raking mechanism. for producing zig-zag pattern;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of a raking mechanism for producing figure 8 pattern;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of a device for forming gelatinous layer or matrix;

Fig. 10 is a view of a spiral formed with the Fig. 11 is a view of a zig-za'g pattern with the device shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a pattern in the form of figure 8 produced by the device shown in Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 13 is a detail view of eccentrics.

My textile printing machine consists of a frame having two upper angle irons or beams I supported on posts 2 and joined by angle irons or beams 3 at the top and beams I at the bottom. A table '5 (Fig. 9), preferably made of asbestos, pressed wood or plastic composition, is supported on the upper beams 8. The table forms a support for the upper portion of an endless belt 5 mounted on drums, l and 8. The drums have shafts 8 and Ill journaled in bearings H and I2 supported on posts 2. A diagona1 brace l3 at' the rear and a cross beam H at the front further strengthen the frame. The belt is preferably made of a smooth, lmpervious-to-water material,

such as rubber. A sprocket I5 is mounted on the shaft 8 and is connected by a chain IS with I a small sprocket H on the end of a shaft I8 of a speed reducer is driven by a motor 20.

A tank 24 is mounted on legs 25 on the frame members 'I above the belt and is provided with a plurality of tubes 26 terminating with spreading nozzles 21 supported immediately above the surface of the belt, as shown-in detail in Fig. 9.

Valves 28 are provided in the tubes 26 and can be simultaneously closed or opened by a cross bar 28. The tank is filled with a suitable gelatinous solution, preferably the extract of Irish moss. The solution is prepared relatively thin, so that it can readily flow through the pipes 26, spreading out over the surface of the belt (Fig. 9). A rear board 30, touching the belt, prevents the solution from flowing back over the curved portion of the belt, a front board 3| being so adjusted in its elevation above the belt by screws 32 that a certain definite thickness of the geformed Latfinous layer 33 is maintained on the moving A large number of small tanks 34 are supported on bars 36 and legs 25, every tank havin a rubber pipe 36 extending to the belt and terminating with a nozzle 31 (Figs. 3 and preferably made of a hard material such as hard rubber, glass, plastic composition, etc. Individual valves 88 are provided for every pipe 38. The pipes 36 are placed between the side of a bar 39 (Fig. 3) and a flat side of a rod 48 rotatively supported at its ends in suitable bearings and backed by a second bar 43. The flat side of the rod is so arranged that the rod, when turned, compresses the pipes by its edge 44, closing the pipes and stopping the flow of the dyes. The rod has arms 46 at the ends pivotally connected with plungers 48, the latter being periodically raised by eccentrics or cams 41, 41, 41" on shafts 48, 49. 'Weights 21 are mounted on extensions 22 of the arms 46 keeping the arms turned downward and closing the pipes. Handles 23 may be used for manually opening the pipes. The cams 41, 41', 41" are of the same diameter but have different peripheral length of their eccentric portions. By shifting the cam on the shaft 48 or 49, a selected cam may be placed in an operative position, so as to open the pipes for a shorter or longer period of time, depending on the length of the peripheral or eccentric portion of the cam.

The shafts 48 and 49 are connected together by a chain 58 on sprockets SI, 56 and are journaled in bearings 61. A sprocket 58 .on the shaft 48 is connected by a chain 59 with a similar sprocket 68 on a. driving shaft 6| journaled in bearings 62. The shaft 6| has a key 63 on which slides a friction pinion 64 engaging a friction disc 66011 a shaft 65', connected by a chain 52 and sprockets 53, 54 with the reducer I9. A shifting.

fork 61 is provided for changing the position of the pinion 64 on the disc thereby changing the gear ratio between the shafts, 48, the fork being operated by a manually turnable screw 66.

The nozzles 31 are placed in a supporting bar 68 having suitably spaced holes, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the end of the bar having a plate 69 with a transverse slot 18 engaging a pin "II fitted in one of the holes 13, 14 of a. disc mounted on a shaft 16 journaled in a bearing 12 and rotated by the shaft 48 through bevel gears 11. Rollers 18 guide the bar 68 in its reciprocating movement across the belt with the matrix, for delivering the dye drops in a zig-zag pattern. The amplitude of the zig-zags can be varied by placing the pin II in one or the other of the holes 13, 14, the holes being located at different distances from the axis of rotation of the disc.

Another arrangement for supporting the nozzles 31 is shown in Fig. 5. The bar 55 has =Jshaped clamps 19 at the ends slidably fitted on the edges of the beams I and provided with set screws 88 for tightening the clamps in a desired position.

The drops can be also spread over the belt in a spiral-shaped pattern if the ends of bar 68 are pivoted to the pins 1| extending from the discs 15, similarly to the arrangement shown in Figs. 6 and 7. which illustrate the mechanism for operating matrixcombing rakes or combs. The rakes consist of bars 8| with pins 82 extending to the surface of the belt and passing through the thickness of the matrix. The ends 8I' of the bars are pivoted to pins 84 extending from discs 85 mounted on shafts 88 Journaled in-bearings 81 and rotated by a shaft 83 through bevel gears 88. The discs 88 are also provided with several holes 89, 89 for the pins 84 located at different distances from the center for adjusting the size of the spirals 98 (Fig. 10) described by the points of the pins 82.

lar to the device for operating the nozzles 31' and shown in Fig. 4. The end of a raking bar 92 has a slotted plate 93 engaging a pin H on a disc 94 and is rotatedby the shaft 83 through bevel gears 88.

Fig. 8 illustrates in detail a mechanism for drawing double spirals in the form of figure 8 96, Fig. 12. The raking bar 91 has plates 98 at the ends with slots 89 for-eccentrics I88 mounted on shafts I8I iournaled in bearings I82 and rotated by the shaft 83 through bevel gears 88. The plates 98 have also transverse slots I88 for eccentrics I86 on the shafts I8'l journaled in bearings I88 and rotated by the shaft 83 through bevel gears I89. The latter are so arranged that the eccentric I86 makes two revolutions for one revolution of the eccentric I88, thereby 0scillat-. v

ing the bar sidewise twice during one revolution of the main eccentric I88 and thereby producing double spirals in the shape of .flgure 8.

The shaft 83 is connected by a chain H8 and sprockets III, II2 with a similar shaft H3 at the other side of the machine, the latter shaft being connected by a chain H4 and sprockets H5, H6 with a second driving shaft II1 with a sliding friction pinion II8 engaged by a friction disc II9 mounted on the other end of the shaft 66. A shifting fork I26 similar to the fork 61 is provided for the pinion I I8.

With the independent adjustment of the rotational velocity of the shafts 48, 49 and 83, H3, it is possible to vary the rate at which the dye drops are placed on the matrix in relation to the speed of movement of the latter and to the spacing of the spiral loops by the rakes. A large variety of patterns can be therefore obtained by using various combinations of speeds, colors, etc.

A roll I29 of fabric or cloth I38 is removably supported in bearings III at the top of posts I32 mounted on the beams I near the last rake mechanism. The fabric or cloth is passed over straightening rolls I33 which remove wrinkles from the cloth, the latter being then placed on the matrix by a V-shaped spreading bar I34 adjustably supported on the beams I.

The cloth, upon leaving the belt, passes into a drier chamber consisting of an upper hood I38,

shown in Fig. 1 with the side cover removed, and lower hood I36, and having a plurality of rolls I31 on shafts I38 journaled in bearings I38. Hot air is delivered into the drier by a fan I48, blowing the air through a steam heater I4I orother similar air heating device, the air passing through the lower hood and through the cloth into the upper hood from which the cooled moist air escapes through a duct-I42.

The cloth is pulled through the drier at the same speed at which the belt is moved by the drums, the pulling being effected by rolls E43, I44 rotated by the rear drum 9 through a belt I48 and pulleys I48, I41, the pu ley I48 consisting of two tapering portions which can be moved toward each other by-a nut I48 on a screw I48 for finely adjusting the. speed of the drawing rolls I43, I44. The shaft: of therolls are supported in bearings I88. III. the upper t being underrr' ssureof springs I82.

A scraper In is provided for removing particles of the matrix 33 from the cloth Ill prior to its entering the drier. A sprayer pipe I" is used for washing the scraper. A similar scraper III is provided for removing the used matrix from the belt 8, a sprayerfpipe, I" delivering, water for washing the scraper and the belt. The latter may be further cleaned by rotary brushes it! operated by the driving shaft ll through gears I", with spray pipes Ill at the sides of the brushes. A drip pan II! collects the dirt fro the belt.

It is understood that my textile printing machine may be further modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 1. A machine for dyeing textile fabrics, comprising an endless belt, rollers movabiy support- '3. A machine for dyeing textile fabrics, comprising an endless belt, rollers movabiy supporting the belt, means to apply a layer of gelatinous solution to the belt, a plurality of wells for coloring dyes supported above the belt, flexible pipes extending from the wells to the layer, means to by transferring the dyes to the fabric, means to rotate the rollers for moving the belt with the fabric, and means to remove the dyed fabric from the belt. g

4. A machine for dyeing textile fabrics, comprising an endless belt, rollers movabiy supporting the belt, means.to apply a layer of gelatinous solution to the belt, a plurality of wells for coloring dyes supported above the belt, flexible -pipes extending from the wells to the layer,

ric, a plurality of rollers supporting the fabric coloring solutions to the layer, rakes adapted totouoh the layer, means to impart a rotary motion 1 to the rakes, thereby spreading the coloring drops into fancy patterns, means to adJust the radius of rotation of the rakes, means to regulate the speed of rotation-of the rakes, means to apply a' fabric to the layer, thereby transferring the patterns to the fabric, a plurality of rollers supporting the fabric beyond the belt, means toremove the used layer from the fabric upon its separa-, tion from the fabric, means to clean the fabric, and means to rotate the rollers, thereby moving the belt' and the fabric at substantially the same speed.

means to support the ends of the pipes at spaced intervals from each other, a stationary bar extending along the pipes at one side, a rotary rod extending along the pipes at the other side having a flat side for releasing the pipes, means to rotate the rod for periodically clamping the pipe and stopping the flow of the dyes to the layer, means to regulate the amount of dye solutions delivered during one cycle of movement of the rod, means to apply a fabric to the layer with .the dyes, thereby transferring the dyes to the fabric, means to rotate the rollers for moving the belt with the fabric, and means to remove the dyed fabric from the belt.

1 5. A machinefor dyeing textile fabrics, comprising a table, amember movabiy supported on the table, means to form a layer of gelatinous composition on the member, a scraper bar sup- 'ported at an elevation above the belt to regulate the thickness of the layer, means to apply meastired quantities of dye solutions to the layer,

' means to apply a fabric to the layer for transferring the dye solutions thereto, means to move the member with the fabric, and means to remove the fabric from the member.

' ER J. BEDOKOPYTOFF. 

